This is an open letter to Rockport Town Administrator Michael Racicot:
Mr. Racicot;
Catching up on the results of town elections, I made a decision to retire as an activist. I'm certain Town Hall has another word for it, but, nevertheless, I was of the opinion that Rockport was on the cusp of a new beginning. After reading Thursday's Times (May 8), I may recant that decision. I am an independent thinker and will continue as such. Therefore, I have set down some issues that either continue to puzzle me, or I believe are, or should be, on the table.
The statement made by you as it appears in Thursday's paper — that you have been in your line of work for 30 years — raises the issue of what precisely did you do in those 30 years, where did you do it, how did you perform, what qualities did your set forth as you sought the position in Rockport, who did the vetting, the interviewing & etc.
You know that the Commonwealth rejected my request for a directed order to make your resume available to the public; that while the statute makes such a document public, case law protects you from its release. Based on your recent contract, the fact that it establishes a bench mark for a replacement that Rockport will find hard to meet, and, in comparison to the salary of the mayor of Gloucester, I think the taxpayers have a right to know what we have in you that Selectman Aparo describes as "flawless," and Dr. Lisi's constant reminder that you are our "fine administrator."
Therefore, since by your fiat, e-mail requests cannot be considered formal requests for action, the Board of Selectmen will, within a few days, receive a formal request for this document, and others, and upon a reply, I will know how to proceed.
To the new selectmen; You don't have to know how to read a spreadsheet, because in my experience as a "seat warmer," I have never seen or heard a running summary of departmental budget performance, or any such report reviewed by the Board at any time. You may reply that is the job of FinCom. I say, they advise, the board acts.
I have been told that several years ago such a practice was routine, until a new bookkeeper was hired and was advised there wasn't time for such preparation. That is why, when I ran for office, one of my tenets was; bring in an outside auditor, not only to review financial practices, but staffing levels, and etc. Mr. Clark, following my defeat, stated in open session, that "our auditors are fine, and we don't need outside help." I still challenge that posture, believing accountability to the public is a vital duty of its elected representatives.
Preparation for board meetings gives the impression that dress rehearsals are held prior to opening the doors to the public. I initiated action, in accordance with the statute, what the requirements were prior to entering an executive session. I still don't understand why such a meeting is needed at every meeting.
We know that the board receives its packet of prep material the Friday before the meeting. It contains the agenda, and other material. From Mr. Clark's statement at the last meeting, it also includes pre-written motions for the meeting when it takes place. How can this be?
Motions are supposed to represent the end result of open discussion and debate. Since none of that happens, how can such material be prepared in advance? Mr. Clark states that Mr. Holmes, late of the board, made this decision to ensure the legal correctness of the motions. Can't be. Through the chairmanships of Ms. Tieri and Mr. Barletta, I recall no such procedure. Is it because the newcomers to the board were considered clueless?
When Mr. Clark was last opposed in seeking office, Mr. Holmes was his opponent. I well recall the close of the one debate, when the moderator, Mr. Hovey, requested each candidate to express his views and/or opinions of each other. My recollection is clear; Mr. Clark eviscerated his opponent as one who had brought nothing, including new ideas in his previous tenure. So now, seven or eight years later, we discover Mr. Holmes initiated this ridiculous practice? How convenient. That campaign was vicious in so many ways, I thought it a disgrace, but nothing could be done.
In a similar vein, we have the rejection of Mr. Jacques' re-appointment to the Finance Committee. Much has been said of the board's agreement with your recommendation. I don't intend to review the process; I simply remind you that Mr. Jacques' work has been acknowledged by Commonwealth Associations and Boards, and by dumping him, the town looks positively asinine.
Mrs. Wilkinson "read" the motion to deny appointment. She is/was the board's liaison to the FinCom. How many of those meetings did she attend?
You say you wanted to "take the town into a new direction." Define that, openly and sincerely. You said that when Barbara Goll was bounced, you said it when Allan MacMillan was publicly excoriated, you waited until the last possible minute to advise Don Atkinson of the same condition when he was purged.
Did that have something to do with the fact that some squabble occurred, and the board thought you owed Atkinson an apology? I only know Mr. Atkinson in passing, but Town Hall has been and will be porous. Get used to it. Do we really have to give up such an excellent staffer as John Tomasz? Or had he just run out of patience? How much authority do you think to exercise concerning his replacement?
You began this purge of dedicated townspeople when, at the behest of your masters, you conducted the Kangaroo court of Mr. Ted Tarr over the Beech Street fiasco. Tarr was singled out, not for an absolutely facetious comment, but because it opened the door to eliminate a constant advocate, experienced not by his ancestry, but by his many years of dedication to this town.
We will soon lose another professional, Dr. DiTullio. You have no conception of how she will be missed. Her replacement comes in at a far greater cost that the departing Dr. DiTullio. I most sincerely hope she brings the same dedication not only to the school department, but to our entire town. I also want John Tomasz to know that his presence for 10 years has been an asset to this Town. I doubt you would be the one to tell him.
Rockport doesn't have a true town charter. I think that's a tremendous lack of attention. Rockport doesn't have a master plan, although it's been cried for years. Of course, had we such a document, this last fiasco of rezoning would never have come to pass, had our weakened Planning Board upheld it.
And wouldn't it be a smart thing to let the town know that the spurious warrant article seeking the zoning change has been withdrawn, but not necessarily been removed from possible reconsideration. Does anyone truly believe the RCMF will not be back?
Following the progress of this town has required time, patience, a quality that I no longer possess in abundance, and treasure, which has been gladly spent. I owe more that I can ever repay the late Harry Shore. His encouragement and files were stiff spurs.
And the town owes Mr. Aresenian more than it can ever know. I will send a copy of this to Toby. He has forgotten more about civic procedures than you shall ever know.
I'll be in attendance — and the board will soon have my written request for documentation.
Herb Wescott
Rockport
